Another review published in It's a quirky new Christian series for tweens and teens.
Look for Vince Profett and the Dead Man's Bones by Tyler Scott
on page 79, and I wish Mr. Scott success with the Profett Series.
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
My Name in Print!
The new Mississippi Libraries is out! It contains my review of Vanished Mississippi Gulf Coast by Jim Fraiser and photographer Rick Guy. I wrote it super fast, having opened my big mouth and announced I had read three Mississippi books, and they were in need of filler. Man, do the typos stick out. Oh well, I’ve never been one associated with the word perfect. ;P
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
I am the Turkey (review)
Michele Sobel Spirn. I am the Turkey. Illus. Joy Allen. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. 48pp. Grades 1st-3rd.
You will have the beginnings of a realistic fiction reader after they tackle this, “I Can Read!” book from HarperCollins. The Thanksgiving play is coming closer and Mark has been chosen for the part of the Turkey. All is sunshine and roses until Mark overhears his big brother call him the class turkey. Later, on the way home from school, big brother gives Mark the low-down, “The Pilgrims and the Indians eat you.” Mark suddenly has more to worry about than his lines, “Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!” He will have to try his darnedest not to be a dead duck or turkey in this case. Many new readers will relate to this book on different levels, having to participate in their first class play, being assigned parts that aren’t as cool as first thought, and the ever present older sibling that loves a good tease. Sit back and enjoy the pre-reading child sound out the word “thanksgiving” for the first time and without help. An accomplishment the child will wish to produce by returning to the book even after the holidays.
Someone Bigger (review)
Jonathan Emmett. Someone Bigger. Illus. Adrian Reynolds. New York: Clarion Books, 2003. 32pp. Grades PreK-3rd.
Just like the little Dutch boy that stuck his finger in the dyke and held back a river, so too does this book remind us sometimes bigger isn’t always better. Sam is off to the park to fly his homemade kite with Dad. From the beginning we fall hypnotically into the lyrical prose as it looks like Dad wants to do all the work and have all the fun. Dad’s enjoyment is kept in motion by hushing his son with, “This kite needs someone bigger.” As the blustery illustrations show Dad being swept away, others grab hold of the string and try to pull it down. In seconds there is a long line of helpful citizens and eager zoo animals that try to add their weight. Children will delight in the Macy’s Day Parade style illustrations that add a floating procession of bulbous looking characters holding onto the kite string. As Sam saves the day your amused listeners may be able to recite those involved in descending order. A soon to be storytime favorite with all ages memorizing, “Can I hold it now?’ asked Sam, “I’m old enough- I know I am!”
The Giant and the Beanstalk (review)
Diane Stanley. The Giant and the Beanstalk. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. 32pp. Grades PreK-2nd.
Otto, the Giant, wants his hen back, but he cannot find the right Jack in this tale of mixed-up folktales. Otto isn’t like the other giants in the magical kingdom. For one thing he is too nice and caring. When he could pick any ferocious pet in the kingdom’s pet store he chooses a hen instead. His confused and upset parents allow him to keep it because it lays golden eggs. One morning Otto surprises a human pilfering around his kingly home. When the human gets one look at him he grabs the hen and heads for a new beanstalk in the kingdom fields. In hot pursuit Otto climbs down after him and begins his search for the hen in the human kingdom. Otto starts to feel like he is on a wild goose um hen chase as he goes from Jack to Jack and still hasn’t met the correct one. Will Otto turn into a gruesome fierce Giant after spending time with humans in the search for his beloved pet hen? Author Staley has created another amusing story that children will be sure to love. Children will engage their brains trying to figure out the next Jack from common nursery rhymes as their eyes fill with beautiful illustrations.
Good Night, Copycub (review)
Richard Edwards. Good Night, Copycub. Illus. Susan Winter. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. 32pp. Grades PreK-1st.
An important step in any child’s development is being able to accomplish things on their own. One way to learn things for oneself is to mimic the actions of others. Copycub is having trouble sleeping and has inadvertently awakened Momma bear with his tossing. This loving mother takes him on a midnight amble through the forest of sleeping inhabitants. Copycub encounters a goose, a moose and a hare dozing, “Safe and sound.” When he returns to the cave his mother encourages him to copy the animals. The illustrations set a sleepy mood with a full moon and long shadows of a clear blue sky. Momma is given a drowsy feel with her eyes held at half-mast and the honey color of the animals radiates warmth. This is the perfect bedtime book; for even the repetitive prose has a couple of yawns included, for extra slumber time encouragement. What a clever book to provide a child with the means to fall asleep on their own.
Crepes by Suzette (review)
Tony Monica Wellington. Crepes by Suzette. New York: Dutton Books, 2004. Unpaged, Grades PreK-2nd.
Magnifique! Who wants crepes? Mais Oui! This book takes you on an extraordinary tour of Paris combining art with the sights. As you travel along with Suzette, actual photographs of the city appear in the background. The street pulses with pedestrians and autos on their way to work. The market place hums exotically with a cosmopolitan air as families dicker with peddlers. The park invites one to stop and smell the roses or just people watch. It isn’t until the Luxembourg Gardens scene when one realizes Suzette is serving to famous art paintings. I’m embarrassed to say I passed right by the Postmaster of Arles assuming it was part of Suzette’s illustrated family and not a representation of Van Gogh’s work. This book provides a great chance to explore art from famous artists by introducing the original works that inspired the cartoon versions. A child will delight in the French phrases although you will need to know them prior to reading aloud for they are not pronounced in the text. Notes in the back of the book include a recipe for crepes, glossary of French words, notes on the photographs and paintings. Author Wellington will sate any young child’s appetite for art and architecture along with encouraging their ability to find the same photographed children amongst the crowds.
Let's Eat (review)
Beatrice Hollyer. Let’s Eat: What Children Eat Around the World. New York: Henry Holt, 2003. 41pp. Grades 3rd-5th.
Open this book and explore the eating habits of five different children in five different countries. In South Africa, you will gather firewood and weed the garden with Thembe then join the family for a traditional wedding. In Mexico, you will follow Luis as he tries to lasso a ewe and travel to the big city for Fiesta. Thailand comes alive as AA takes us to the market in the morning and we watch her poach quail eggs. With Jordan we truffle hunt and make chocolate cake without a recipe in France. The final country is India where we follow Yamini to school and the market then celebrate her birthday. The author provides a recipe per country and food glossary for the more exotic items. Unfortunately a pronunciation guide is not provided. This colorful picture book is perfect for geography studies. Just think of the fun you will have trying to make these delicious treats with little cooks.
Buried Fire (review)
Jonathan Stroud. Buried Fire. New York: Hyperion Books, 2004. 332pp. Grades 6th-Up.
Are you ready to lose yourself in a book that will have you reading all day long? This book, by the author of The Amulet of Samarkand, is ready to please. From the very first sentence we are entranced. “Under the old king’s barrow, in a hollow place hidden from the winter mists and the summer sun, a dragon coils.” Directly above this hallowed spot Michael is presently napping. While he naps the local Vicar is directing workers digging outside St. Wyndham church to stabilize its foundation. As workers strike a hard surface, the dragon stirs and a small bubble begins to rise from his lair. This bubble incases Michael on its exit from the hill and bestows magical powers to him as he slumbers. Meanwhile the workers uncover an ancient Celtic like cross from the trench below the church. Are you hooked yet? This fast-paced plot keeps moving by mini cliffhangers at the end of chapters and perilous large ones at the end of days. All the events take four days to occur. A stripped down version was read for this review. One can only hope the final copy will include illustrations and a map of the Wirrim area.
A Couple of April Fools (review)
Gregory Maguire. A Couple of April Fools. Illus. Elaine Clayton. New York: Clarion Books, 2004. 182pp. Grades 6th-Up.
What do you get when you genetically cross a domestic chicken with a Galapagos blue-toe lizard? It isn’t as pretty as it sounds. In this sixth book in Maguire’s count-down series we are again facing the unknown as three eggs hatch and these blue-green thingies emerge. Creatures the locals call “Flameburpers” for they shoot out little puffs of flames. Dangerous conditions considering chickens are normally found around barns full of hay. Rival clubs of children, the Tattletales and the Copycats, find them adorable and have become quite attached. Unfortunately one has run into the woods and another has met an untimely death. The children visit the remaining one after school each day, this one is getting larger, scalier and moodier despite the tender stepchicken raising her at Fingerpie Farms. Between visits the rival clubs have been planning April Fools day tricks. These tricks have the power to prove which faction is smarter, the Tattletale girls or the Copycat boys. I’m rooting for the girls in this fun read-aloud. Would be perfect to read all of Maguire’s series out loud as you travel through the same fourth or fifth grade class in a year.
Earthshake (review)
Lisa Westberg Peters. Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up. Illus. Cathie Felstead. New York: Greenwillow, 2003. 32pp. Grades 4th-8th.
This poetry book could be the next School House Rock for eager young geologist. Although the format looks easy; these poems are for sophisticated young readers possessing more developed minds. Once the correct audience gets a hold of these poetic earth gems they will have a better understanding and enjoyable way to remember difficult physical concepts. For example, the continental plates sit on the continental shelves of earth’s dishwasher and Peters ask the reader to just let the forks in the river soak. Old faithful becomes a land locked underground whale that shoots water through his blow hole and flicks his tail causing mild tremors. The poems also encourage kids to look around and find geodes by the side of the road or fossilized clams in their sidewalk. The illustrations are mesmerizing in blues, greens, and oranges; plus the cut out maps suggest a day of outdoor exploring. Teachers can use these short surprising poems to begin all types of classroom discussions as students hear about China’s clay hills, Washington State’s sea cliffs and Michigan’s sand dunes. Let Earthshake flow like lava and be prepared for the river of ideas it exposes.
The Truth About Poop (review)
Susan E. Goodman. The Truth About Poop. Illus. Elwood H. Smith. New York: Viking Books, 2004. 40pp. Grades 3rd-6th. 
Don’t shy away from this information packed book just because of the title. In our current world of reluctant readers we need all the enticing books for boys we can find. I see young boys between the ages of eight and ten clamoring for this book in hopes of finding their next bathroom joke. Once they delve inside this book their heads will be absorbing all kinds of poop trivia known to present day man. Michelangelo bathed his statues in donkey poop to give them an aged patina. Many cultures have rubbed poop on their face to get rid of freckles. The first public bathrooms in European cities were outhouses located on bridges. The book contains cleverly organized chapters featuring animal droppings, the elimination process, and the uses for poop. An afterword contains further readings for adults and children plus a website called theplumber.com. (Puts a new spin on seeing "the plummer" in Bloglines!) The illustrations enhance the fun. They contain poop that sometimes looks more like chocolate chip cookies than cow patties. Again, you needn’t be afraid of owning this book. You may just inspire the world’s next Nobel scientist who transforms poop into a clean source of alternative fuel.
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